Apparatus for use in the manufacture of rubber goods



T. SLOPER APPARATUS FOR USE II! THE MANUFACTURE OF RUBBER GOODS Dec. 13. 1923.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 11, 1923 1 glewismmm Uzi 1M Jaw A 1? M WW W4. JWWM Emu M 1923.

T. SLDF'ER APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE MANUFAETURE .oF RUBBER GOODS Filed Jan. 11, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a? 111% randma Patented Deeill, i923.

UNE EEDD THOMAS SLOPER, OF DEVIZES, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS FOR USE IN THE MANUFAG'IURE F RUBBER GOODS Application filed January 11, 1923. Serial No. 611,983.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that/'1, THOMAS SLOPER, a subject of the Kin f England, residing at Devizes, lViltshire, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Use in the Manufacture ofRubbcr Goods, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is for improvements in or relating to apparatus for use in the manu facture of rubber goods and the method of handling such goods during manufacture.

Apparatus has heretofore been described and a method whereby a flat tyre-band can be removed from the cylindrical support whereon it has been vulcanized or partially vulcanized. One form of the apparatus described comprises a cavity-member or cooperating member which is annular in form and is brought into position round the cylindrical support with its tyre-band on it and is held in fixed relation thereto. The cavitymember has inwardly directed flexible seal ing-lips which are pressed against the edges of the tire-band so that a closed chamber is thus formed with the tire-band as one wall, and then a greater air-pressure is established on that side of the tire-band which lies against the cylindrical support than on the other side so that the tire-band is expanded away from the cylindrical support, whereupon the support can be removed.

The cavity-member in some cases made flat, that is to say cylindrical on its operative face with the exception of the edges which stand proud of the said face and constitute the sealing-means with the tire-band.

t is found that in operating apparatus such as-this, orthe converse form i. e. in 40 which the tire-band would be on the inner peripheryof an annular support and the cavity member would be in the form of an interior cylindrical member-one edge of the tire-band is liable to become detached from the support before the other edge.

This causes a=lateral movement of the tyreand which results in breaking the sealingjoint at that edge which first becomes dctached. It is consequentlv desirable to ensure against the lateral movement of the tyre-band as it comes away from its support, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide means toprevent such iateral movement.

. According to this invention, there is com; bined withfthe cavit member which with its scaling-lips makes a chamber with the tyre band, engaging means mounted insaid member, guided or restrained to move in a path approximately radially across-the chamber and arranged to engage the tyre-band in such manner as to prevent it from moving laterally as .it is displaced from its support. The engaging means may take the form'of a plurality of members (for example plungers) guided mechanically for movement radially across the chamber and each arranged to engage (for example by a spike) the tyre-band. i

l'referably, the engaging members are provided with yielding controlling means, which when in operation, tend to advance them against the tyre-hand, the thrust of which controlling means is arranged to be leSs than that of the diiierence of the pneumatic sure on the two sides of the band.

Conveniently. the said controlling means takes the form of a plurality of piston mem- I hers. one carried by each plun er and operating each in conjunction with a barrel, for example a collapsible tubular casing, that opens into the chamber, whereby the pistons are exposed to the pressure established for removing the tyreband and are advanced into engagement with the latter, but the area of the pistons exposed to this pressure is less than that of the tyre-band, so that the plun ers will be thrust back as the tyre-band erpends.

Other features of the invention will be described hereinaiter and pointed out in the claims.

One embodiment of the invention is illuspres- -tratcd bv way of example in the accompanying drawing. It is to be understood, however. that various changes may be made in the constructional details enumerated. In said drawings a Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of apparatus according to the invention. comprising a support for a tyre-band and an annular cavity member therefor having means for engaging the band. the sealing lips bein shown flexed away from the can.

parts plunger ity member, and the tyre-band and its support being shown'outside the latter;

Figure 2 shows a like section showing the sealing-lips seated in their grooves, and the tyre-band on its support being placed in position centrally within the cavity member, and

l igures 3 to 5 again show like sections but showing the parts in different positions illus- (rating the operation of removing the tyre hand from. its support.

Like reference numerals designate throughout the several views.

Au annular cavity membeir t having sealing lips l) arranged to like be seated by suction in lateral annular grooves A is provided to cooperate with a cylindrical support C carrying 21 ha? tyre-band D and to form therewith an annular chamber E (Figures 3 and 4), whereby the tyre-band can be removed from its support, and if desired, transferred to another support, as described in the parent specification mentioned above, conduits F and G being provided for exhausting air from the grooves A and from the said chamber, respectively.

According to the present invention, engaging means, designated generally by the letter H, are provided on the cavity member A for engaging the tyre-band and maintaining it in a central position as it expands away from its support. These engaging means take the form of a plurality of plungers H, whereof only one is shown, which may he, say, six in number, arranged along the central circumferential line of the cavity member A. r

The plunger H is slidable radially in relation to the cavity member A in a two-part barrel HQH comprising a fixed part'H and a movable part H the part H? having its one end H screwed the cavity member A. One end of the can enter the annular chamber and is provided with a spike H for entering the tyre-band. Surrounding the other end of the part H and secured fluid'tight thereto is an india-rubber sleeve J which alsomakes a fluid-tight joint at its other end with the head H of the plunger. This head is of lar er diameter than the part H of the barrel and is in the form of a disc having a cylindrical flange that constitutes the movable part H of the barrel and is arranged to telescope with the fixed part H A light compression spring Ksurrounds the plunger H and tends to keep the two parts H H in extended relation so that the plunger is nor mally kept at the limit of its radial movement outwards. A. duct H connects the interior or the barrel with the chamber E, so that when the air is exhausted from this chamber to remove the tyre-band, air will aiso be exhausted from the barrels of the piungers, whereby the plungers are caused but into an orifice H in" to advance against spike at the end of each plunger is thrust into the tyre-band.

The described apparatus operates as follows:

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1 and that a tyre-band I) on the support C is to be removed from the latter, air will first be exhausted from the grooves A causing the sealing lips B to be seated on their seats, as shown in Figure .2. The support C, and the band D can now be placed centrally within the cavity mem her A, and on air being admitted to the grooves A the scaling lips B will flex outthe tyre-band, so that the wardly and make fluid-tight joints with the tyre-band D, as shown lateral edges of the p in the chamber E is in Figure 3. The air now exhausted through the conduits G I which causes all the plungers to advance against thetyreband, so that their spikes enter it and maintain it in a central position while it is being expanded away from its support C owing to the air'pressure es tablished on the side of the band which is towards the support. As the band expands in this manner, as illustrated in Figure 4, it thrusts the plungers radially outwards, because the total fluid pressure on the tyreband is greater than the total fluid pressure on the plungers tending to advance them radially inwards, although this latter pressure still keeps the plungers in engagement with the tyre-band. When suflicient air has been exhausted from the chamber E the tyre band will finally be seated against the inner face of the cavity member A as shown in Figure 5, whereupon the support C can be removed from the cavity member A; It will be seen that the tyre-band rigidly held throughout the whole of its expanding movements against any lateral displacement, so that no breaking the edges of the tyre-band results fromlater al movement.

It is to be understood that-various modifications can be made'in the construction described above without departing from the invention as defined in the claims. For example, if the tyre-band is on the inner periphery of an annular support from which it is to be removed to aninner cylindrical cavity member, then the engaging means'for guiding the band Wlll be provided on the inof the sealing-joints at new endless flat expansible bands, the combina tion with a co-operating member having an annular face whereof the general axial direction is parallel to a throughway axis of the member, and two annular sealing members carried thereon, one on each edge thereof, and arranged to make sealing contact with the edge portions of a band and there by form a closed annular ch'amber whereof the said band constitutes a flexible wall, of engaging, means mounted in said co-opon ating member, restrained to move in a path approximately radial to said chamber, and adapted to engage the band and thereby prevent it from moving'laterally as it moves towards said face, substantially as set forth. 2. lnapparatus for use in manipulating endless fiat expansible bands, the combination with a cooperating member having an annular face whereof the general axial direction is parallel to a throughway axis of the member and two annular sealing members carried thereon, one on each edge thereof, andarranged to make sealing cohtact with the edge portions of a band and thereby form a closed annular chamber whereof the said band constitutes a flexible wall, of a plurality of engaging members mounted in said co-opcrating member and mechanically.

guided each to move radially across said chamber and engage the band and thereby prevent the band from moving laterally as it moves towards said fa as set forth.

- 3. In a paratus for usein manipulating endless at expansible bands, the combination"with a eta-operating member having an, annular face whereof the general axial direction is parallel to a throughway axis of the member, and two annular sealing members carried thereon, one on each edge theree, substantially of, and arranged to make sealing contact with the edge portions of a band and thereby form a closed annular chamber whereof the said band constitutes a flexible wall, of a plurality of engaging members mounted in Said co-operating member andmechanically guided each to move radially across said chamber and engage the band and thereby prevent the band from. moving laterally as it moves towards said face, and yielding controlling means tending to advance said engaging means in the direction of the band,

substantially as set forth.

7/ i. In apparatus for use in manipulating endless flat expansible bands, the combination with a cooperating member having an annular face whereof the general axial direction is parallel to a of the member, and two annular sealing members carried thereon, one on each edge thereof, and arranged to make sealing contact with the edge portions of a band and thereby form a closed annular chamber whereof the said; head constitutes edcaible throughway axis to engage the band and thereby prevent it from moving laterally as it moves towards said face, substantially as set forth.

5. In apparatus foruse in manipulating endless fiat expansible bands, the combination with a co-operating member having an annular face whereof-the general axial' direction is parallel to a throughway axis of the member, and two annular sealing mem bers carried thereon, one on each edge thereof, and'arranged to make sealing contact with the edge portions of a band and thereby form a closed annular chamber whereof the said band constitutes a flexible wall, of a plurality of barrels mounted on said cooperating member. and each in open coinmunication with said chamber, a plurality of piston members operating each in conjunction withone of said barrels and having each a rod constituting a plunger that extends into said chamber and is guided to move radially across the chamber, the end of each plunger in said chamber being adapted to engage the band, the total area of the faces of the pistons exposed to the fluid pressure obtaining in said annular chamber being less than the area of the band exposed to the same pressure, substantially as set forth.

6. In apparatus for use in manipulating endless fiat expansible bands, the combination with a cooperating member having an annular face whereof the general axial direction is parallel to a throughway axis of the member, and two annular sealing members carried thereon, one on each edge thereof, and arranged to make sealing; contact with theedge thereof, and arranged to make sealing contact with the edge portions of a band and thereby form a closed annular being adapted to engage the band, the total areaof the faces of the pistons exposed to the fluid pressure obtaining in said annular chamber being less than the area of the band exposed to the same pressure, substantially as set forth. 1

7. In apparatus for use in manipulating endless flat expansible bands, the combinetion with a co-operating member having an annular nice whereof the general aerial di I parts whereof part, and a yielding sleeve is secured fluidposed by operating member,

tight over the opposed. ends of the two par to make a collapsible oint thcreu-ith, each piston head having a rod constituting a lunger that extends into said chamber and is guided to move radially across the chamber, the end of each plunger in said chamber being pointed to engage the band,- the total area of. the faces of the pistons exthe fluid pressure obtaining said chamber being less than the area of the hand exposed to the same pressure, substantially as set forth.

8. In apparatus for use tion with. a co-operating member having an annular face whereof the general axial direction is parallel to a throughway axis of the.

member, and two annular sealing members carried thereon, one on each edge thereofl, and arranged to make sealing contact with the edge portions of a band and thereby form a closed annular chamber whereof the said band constitutes a flexible wall, of a plurality of barrels each comprising two parts whereof one is mounted on said cothe other constitutes a piston head having a tubular, portion arranged to telescope with its (o-operating part, a yielding sleeve secured fluid-tight over the opposed ends of the two parts to make a collapsible joint therewith, and a a spring tending to keep the two parts of a barrel in extended relation, each piston head having a rod constituting a plunger that extends into said annular chamber and is guided, to move radially across. the chamher. the end of each plunger in said chamher being adapted to engage the band, the total area of the Faces of the pistons exposed to the fluid pressure obtaining in said chamber being less than the area of the band exposed to the same pressure, subs1 antially as set forth.

(h Apparatus for manipulating less expansible bands eoml'irising in combination a support for an endless band. having an annular face whereof the general direction is parallel to a throughway axis thereof, a co-operating member having an in manipulating endless flat expansible bands, the combinaband having throughway axis said member one at each edge thereof-and arranged to make sealing contact with the edge portions of the band on. said support and thereby form an annular cavity where of the said band constitutes a flexible wall, which sealing lips can enter radially into said grooves whilst contacting with said band; means for exhausting air from said cavity andfrom said grooves, and engaging means mounted on said cooperating member, which engaging means are restrained to move in a path approximately radial to said annular cavity and are adapted to engage the band under the action of reduction of pressure in the annular cavity,

in' -and thereby prevent the band fr ing laterally as it moves substantially as set forth. 1

10. Apparatus for manipulating fflat endless expansible bands comprising in combination a support for an endless an annular 'face whereof direction is parallel to a thereof, an annular cooperating member having an internal recessed cylindrical face for receiving the band from the support, and two annular grooves, one at each edge of 'said face, two annular sealing lips carried on said member, one at each edge thereof and arranged to make sealing contact with the edge portions of the band on said support and thereby form an annular cavity whereof the said band constitut a flexible wall, which sealing lips can enter radially into said grooves, whilst contacting with said band, means for exhausting air from said cavity-and from said grooves, and a plurality of barrels mounted on the outside of said cooperating member and in open communication each with said annular cavity, a plurality of piston members operating each inconjunction with one of said barrels, and stituting a plunger annular cavity and is guided to move rad ally across the said cavity, the end of each plunger in said cavity being adapted to engage the band, the total area of .the faces of the pistons exposed to' the fluid pressure obtaining in said annular cavity being less than the area of the band exposed to the same pressure, forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signa ture.

THOMAS SLOPER.

towards said face,

the general substantially as set having each a rod conthat extends into said 

